Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for dispensing rolled sheet material has a housing which holds at least one roll of sheet material. The housing has an outer surface positioned against a support surface and the housing also has an opening defined by a perimeter. A first end of a hub is positioned to extend through at least a portion of the opening in the housing. The hub is movably retained within the perimeter and it is configured to hold a roll of sheet material. An arm is coupled to a second end of the hub. The arm supports the hub for movement within the perimeter. The arm has a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of the opening and the arm is movably supported against the outer surface of the housing. The arm is also configured to be releasably locked into one of a plurality of selected positions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally relates to dispensers, and more specifically, to dispensers for rolled sheet material. More particularly, this invention relates to a dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Dispensers for bath tissue used in institutional and public restrooms are often configured to provide a “jumbo” roll of sheet material or bath tissue therein. In addition, some of these dispensers are configured to accommodate a second much smaller roll, or stub roll, which is disposed alongside the jumbo roll. In other dispensers, two or more rolls of equal diameter are disposed therein. Either type of dispenser commonly includes one or more mandrels or hubs which hold the roll(s). Dispensers have therefore been required to be configured to utilize either the jumbo sized roll and the stub roll combination, or the combination of two rolls of equal diameter. Dispensers have not had the flexibility in configuration to permit a choice of diameters of rolls to be positioned therein.

[0003] Since various manufacturers offer rolls of sheet material having different diameters, and since prices for such rolls vary, it would be advantageous to have a dispenser that would accommodate several different diameters of rolls, and several different roll combinations. Such a dispenser provides movable mandrels or hubs which permit the use of various diameters of rolls of sheet material, such as bath or toilet tissue, in the dispenser.

DEFINITIONS

[0004] As used herein, the term “exit port” or “dispensing opening” is the opening in a housing of a dispenser for the passage of sheet material out of the dispenser.

[0005] As used herein, the term “fasteners” means devices that fasten, join, connect, secure, hold, or clamp components together. Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets, snap-fits, tacks, nails, loop fasteners, and interlocking male/female connectors, such as fishhook connectors, a fish hook connector includes a male portion with a protrusion on its circumference. Inserting the male portion into the female portion substantially permanently locks the two portions together.

[0006] As used herein, the term “hinge” refers to a jointed or flexible device that connects and permits pivoting or turning of a part to a stationary component. Hinges include, but are not limited to, metal pivotable connectors, such as those used to fasten a door to frame, spring-loaded hinges, living hinges, and so forth. Living hinges may be constructed from plastic and other materials and formed integrally between two members. A living hinge permits pivotable movement of one member in relation to another connected member.

[0007] As used herein, the term “sheet material” means a material that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth. Generally speaking, sheet materials should exhibit a relatively flat planar configuration and be flexible to permit folding, rolling, stacking, and the like. Exemplary sheet materials include, but are not limited to, paper tissue, bath/toilet tissue, paper towels, wipes, label rolls, or other fibrous, film, polymers, or filamentary products.

[0008] As used herein, the term “couple” includes, but is not limited to, joining, connecting, fastening, linking, or associating two things integrally or interstitially together.

[0009] As used herein, the term “arcuate” includes, but is not limited to, having the form generally of a curve or an arch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one aspect of the invention, a dispenser for storing and dispensing rolled sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing which holds at least one roll of sheet material, and the housing has an exit port. The housing also has an outer surface which is positioned against a support surface. The outer surface has an opening defined by a perimeter. A hub is provided, which has a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned to extend through at least a portion of the opening in the housing. The hub is movably retained within the perimeter and configured to hold a roll of sheet material. An arm is also provided, and the arm is coupled to the second end of the hub. It is configured to support the hub for movement within the perimeter. The arm has a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of the opening, and it is movably supported against the outer surface of the housing. The arm is configured to be releasably locked into one of a plurality of selected positions.

[0011] In another aspect of the invention, a dispenser for storing and dispensing rolled sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing which holds at least two rolls of sheet material; the housing also has an exit port. The housing has an outer surface positioned adjacent a support surface. A pair of spaced-apart openings are formed in the outer surface, and each opening is defined by a perimeter. A pair of hubs are provided. Each hub has a first end and a second end. The first end of one of each of the hubs is positioned to extend through at least a portion of one of each of the openings in the housing. Each hub is movable retained within its respective perimeter, and each hub is configured to hold a roll of sheet material. A second end of each of the hubs is coupled to one of each of the arms. Each arm supports its respective hub for movement within the perimeter. Each arm has a perimeter larger than the perimeter of each opening, and each is movably supported against the outer surface of the housing. Each arm is configured to be releasably locked into one of a plurality of selected positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser in accordance with the present Invention, in a closed dispensing position;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of the present invention, in an opened, loading position, illustrating a back plate, a cover, two movable hubs, and two mid-sized rolls;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front view of a back plate of the dispenser of FIG. 2, showing the position of the hubs for two rolls of equal diameter (the rolls illustrated in phantom lines);

[0015]FIG. 4 is a front view of the back plate of the dispenser of FIG. 2, but showing the position of the hubs for a jumbo roll and stub roll combination (the rolls illustrated in phantom lines);

[0016]FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment the present invention, showing a back plate having alternative openings and alternative hubs positioned therein for holding two rolls of equal diameter (the rolls illustrated in phantom lines);

[0017]FIG. 6 is a front view of the back plate of the dispenser of FIG. 5, but showing the position of the hubs for combination (the rolls illustrated in phantom lines);

[0018]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line 7-7;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-6, but showing other alternative hubs;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a front view of a back plate of the dispenser of FIG. 8, but showing the hubs positioned for holding two rolls of equal diameter (the rolls illustrated in phantom lines);

[0021]FIG. 10 is a front view of the back plate of the dispenser of FIG. 8, but showing the position of the hubs for holding combination (the rolls illustrated in phantom lines);

[0022]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of FIG. 9 taken along line 11-11;

[0023]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one of the hubs of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4;

[0024]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one of the hubs of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11; and

[0025]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the hubs of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated and described as part of one embodiment or figure can be used on another embodiment or figure to yield yet another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include such modifications and variations.

[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 7 and 12, the dispenser 10 includes a housing 12, which has a back plate 14 and a cover 16, as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2. The back plate 14 and the cover 16 cooperate when positioned together in a closed position to provide an internal compartment 18 configured to hold one or more rolls 20 of sheet material 22. The back plate 14 and cover 16 also cooperate to form, in a closed position, a dispensing opening or exit port 24 which provides a user access to the sheet material 22, as shown generally in FIGS. 3-5. In the present embodiment, but not by way of limitation, the exit port 24 is provided in a lower end 26 of the housing 12.

[0028] The back plate 14 has a top wall 28 which is positioned generally perpendicularly about a portion of its perimeter, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The top wall 28 is contiguous with a pair of spaced-apart opposing side walls 30 which also adjoin the back plate 14. The back plate 14 is configured to be mounted on a surface or wall, such as, by way of non-limiting example, the wall of a toilet stall (not shown). The back plate 14 includes a plurality of openings 32 to permit such mounting via fasteners, brackets, hinges, adhesives, and so forth. Each side wall 30 and the top wall 28 at a common edge 33 thereof includes an inner lip portion 34 which is slightly recessed relative to an outer surface 36 of the back plate 14.

[0029] The back plate 14 also includes a pair of spaced-apart and confronting flange and bar assemblies 38 (FIG. 2). Each flange 40 is coupled to or integrally formed with an inner surface 42 near a lower end 44 of each of the side walls 30 of the back plate 14, and has a bar 46 integrally formed therewith or coupled thereto, as shown in FIGS. 2-5. Each bar 46 of the flange and bar assemblies 38 includes a serrated portion 48 along a lower edge and front edge of the bar 46, to permit sections of sheet material 22 to be removed from one or more rolls 20 of sheet material 22 disposed in the internal compartment 18 of the housing 12.

[0030] The cover 16, as shown in FIG. 2, is pivotably coupled to the housing 12 via a spaced-apart pair of cover bars 52 which, at a first end 54, are fixedly coupled to or formed integrally with an inner surface 56 of the cover 16. At a second end 58, the cover bars 52 are pivotably coupled via a pivot pin 60, and so forth, to each bar 46 of each of the bar and flange assemblies 38. It will be understood that hinges, fasteners, and so forth may be used to releasably couple the cover 16 to the back plate 14. A lower end 59 of the cover may include a serrated portion as well (not shown).

[0031] The cover 16 includes a front plate 62 having a window opening 64 provided therein. A window plate 66 (FIG. 1) is mounted on an inner surface 56 of the front plate 62 over the window opening 64. The window plate 66 is usually, for example, but not by way of limitation, clear, transparent, tinted, and so forth, to provide a view of the size and amount of the remaining roll(s) 20 of sheet material 22 in the dispenser 10 to a user or a maintenance technician. It will be appreciated, however, that any portion(s) of the housing 12 may be clear, transparent, tinted, opaque, and so forth. The front plate 62 includes a contiguous top wall 68 and a pair of spaced-apart opposing side walls 70 which are each formed with and positioned generally perpendicularly to a portion of the perimeter of the front plate 62. The side walls 70 and top wall 68 each include, near a common edge 71, an outer lip portion 72 which is slightly recessed relative to an inner surface 56 of the cover 16.

[0032] The top wall 28 of the back plate 14 also includes a convex portion 74 having a latch mechanism coupled thereto, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The latch mechanism includes a latch 78 and a button 80 which are coupled to the inner surface 42 of the back plate 16. The button 80 extends through an opening in the convex portion 74. The top wall 68 of the cover 16 also includes a concave portion 82 configured to receive the convex portion 74 of the top wall 28 of the back plate 16 therein. In addition, the inner surface 56 of the cover 16 includes a reciprocal latch coupler (not shown), which permits the latch 78 to be releasably coupled to the cover 16, thereby permitting the cover 16 to be positioned and maintained in a closed dispensing position relative to the back plate 14. The button 80 may be positioned in a coplanar position relative to the outer surface 36 of the top wall 28, and may include a key hole to permit the latch mechanism to be locked (not shown). Any latch and/or lock mechanism may be used to close/lock the housing 12 to prevent tampering and/or vandalism; many are known in the art.

[0033] When the cover 16 is closed against the back plate 14 in the closed dispensing position, the outer lip portion 72 of the cover 16 is cooperatively positioned adjacent the inner lip portion 34 of the back plate 14. Neither the back plate 14 nor the cover 16 includes a bottom wall; therefore, when the housing 12 is in the closed dispensing position, the exit port 24 is provided by the lower end 26 of the housing 12. It will be appreciated that in the present embodiment, the configuration of the housing 12 is not intended as a limitation; other configurations may be used to accommodate aesthetic and/or functional considerations.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2-7, mounted on the back plate 16 and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom are a pair of mandrels/hubs 85, 86. The hubs 85, 86 each hold a roll 20 of sheet material 22. Such sheet material is often flexible, such as toilet or bath tissue and so forth. Each roll 20 is wound throughout its diameter about a longitudinal open core 88 to form, generally, a cylinder having opposing flat ends 90. The sheet material 22 forming the roll 20 is desirably perforated into sheet sections of predetermined length, although non-perforated sheet material may also be used.

[0035] The dispenser 10 and housing 12 are desirably configured to hold at least two rolls 20 of sheet material 22. The rolls 20 are positioned on the hubs 85, 86 such that the core 88 of each roll 20 is mounted on a hub 85, 86 and each roll 20 is mounted with its outer perimeter 92 adjacent the other. One flat end 90 of each roll 20 is positioned adjacent the back plate 14 while the opposite flat end 90 of each roll 20 is positioned adjacent the front plate 62 of the cover 16.

[0036] The dispenser 10 of the present embodiment is designed to hold a combination of large, medium, and small rolls, in non-limiting combinations. That is, in a non-limiting example, the dispenser desirably holds within its internal compartment 18 a combination of either: a) a jumbo roll 94, generally, but not by way of limitation, having a diameter greater than about 9.5 inches, and a stub roll 96, generally, but not by way of limitation, having a diameter of less than about 7 inches; or b) two medium-sized rolls 98, 98′ (hereinafter termed “mid-sized” roll(s)) generally, but not by way of limitation, having a diameter of greater than about 7 inches to about 9.5 inches. It will be appreciated that the dispenser 10 and the housing 12 may be sized to include additional hubs to hold additional rolls of one or more roll sizes in additional combinations.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, 7 and 12, each hub 85, 86 is supported on one of a pair of flanges or arms 100, 101 having, by way of non-limiting example, a generally oval configuration, each of which is movable. Hubs 85, 86, are positioned through spaced-apart openings 104, 105, respectively, provided in the back plate 14. Each opening 104, 105 includes a perimeter 106 which has, but not by way of limitation, an oval configuration as well. Openings 104, 105 are sized to receive one of each hub 85, 86, respectively, and to accommodate movement of the one of each hub 85, 86 within the confines of the perimeter 106 defining each opening 104, 105. Each arm 100, 101 is positioned on a back side 108 of the back plate 14, and its movement thereupon is confined within the boundaries of a retaining rib 109, which is positioned generally near at least a portion of the perimeter 106 of each opening 104,105 on the outer surface or back side 108 of the back plate 14 which is desirably, but not by way of limitation, positioned adjacent a support surface 110. Such movement generally follows, in the present embodiment, but not by way of limitation, a linear, straight path. It will be appreciated that other linear and/or non-linear paths are possible as well.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, one opening 104 is positioned generally horizontally with respect to the lower end 26 of the housing 12. The other opening 105 is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to the lower end 26 of the housing. Hub 85 is permitted to slide horizontally within the perimeter of opening 104, while hub 86 is required to slide at along an up/down oblique angle within the perimeter of opening 105.

[0039] Each hub 85, 86 includes a generally cylindrically-shaped base 111 having a first or closed end 112, and a second or open end 114, as shown best in FIGS. 7 and 12. Hubs 85, 86 are each mounted on arms 100, 101, respectively, near each open end 114 of each hub 85, 86.

[0040] Each arm 100, 101 supports a hub 85, 86 at a first end 116 thereof, and provides a flange portion 120 which extends radially about a portion of the base 111 of each hub 85, 86, near the open end 114 thereof. A second, rounded end 124 of each arm 100,101 includes a slot 125 which provides, by way of non-limiting example, a living hinge 126. The hinge 126 includes a tab 128 on an upper surface 129 of each arm 100,101, and the hinge 126 is desirably a living hinge. The hinge 126 and the tab 128 are formed from a flexible resilient material; the arms 100, 101, and other components of the dispenser 10 may also be formed at least partially of a flexible resilient material. The arms 100,101, together with the hubs 85, 86, respectively, provide, but not by way of limitation, a generally oval configuration having a perimeter 130 which is slightly larger than the perimeter 106 of the openings 104, 105, but has a somewhat smaller perimeter 130 than a perimeter 132 of the retaining rib 109, in order to support the hubs 85, 86 in the openings 104, 105, in a generally perpendicular position with respect to the back plate 14. This relative perimeter sizing of the openings, the arms, and the retaining rib(s) is consistent for all embodiments shown and/or described herein.

[0041] Hub 85, 86 are positioned from the back side 108 of the back plate 14 to extend through openings 104, 105, respectively. Each arm 100, 101 is generally held in slidable alignment with the openings 104, 105, generally by each retaining rib 109 which is positioned on and extends a short distance away from the back side 130 of the back plate 14, and generally near to at least a portion of each of the openings 104, 105. As shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 7, arms 100, 101 are held in position by a combination of the support surface (not shown) upon which the back plate 14 is mounted, the retaining rib 109 and the perimeter 106 of each opening 104, 105, which is configured to be of a smaller diameter than the perimeter 130 of each arm 100, 101. Therefore, each arm 100, 101 is retained by this combination and the combination cooperates to provide slidable movement of each hub 85, 86 and its supporting arm 100, 101, respectively, within each opening 104, 105. That is, arm 100 and hub 85 are horizontally slideable within the perimeter 106 of opening 104, with respect to the lower end 26 of the housing 12, while arm 101 and hub 86 are slideable within the perimeter 106 of opening 105 on an up/down oblique angle, with respect to the lower end 26 of the housing 12.

[0042] Tab 128 and the hinge 126 is configured to permit each arm 100, 101 and therefore each hub 85, 86 to be releasably locked to a selected aperture in the back plate 14, thereby securing each arm 100, 101 and therefore each hub 85, 86, respectively, in one of, by way of non-limiting example, at least two positions which are selected by a maintenance technician.

[0043] Each arm 100, 101 may be locked into a selected one of the two selectable positions via positioning the tab 128 on the hinge 126 on each arm 100, 101 into one of two apertures 138 (for mid-sized rolls), 140 (for a combination of jumbo roll and stub roll) which are positioned adjacent the perimeter 106 of each opening 104, 105. Each of the two apertures 138, 140 are positioned so that a maintenance technician may easily select a position for a roll, based on the size of the roll, and the size of any adjacent roll. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the tab 128 of the hinge 126 on each arm 100, 101, is positioned in aperture 138, the hubs 85, 86 are positioned generally in horizontal alignment relative to the lower end 26, and are aligned relative to the housing 12, namely, the internal compartment 18 and an inner surface 142 of the housing 12, to each hold a mid-sized roll 98, 98′. As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the tab 128 of the hinge 126 on each arm 100, 101, is positioned in aperture 140, the hubs 85, 86 are positioned generally out of horizontal alignment relative to the lower end 26, and are aligned relative to the housing 12, namely, the internal compartment 18 and the inner surface 142 of the housing 12, for hub 85 to hold a jumbo roll 94 and for hub 86 to hold a stub roll 96. Such movement and positioning permit the maintenance technician to pre-set the dispenser for the size of rolls in stock, whether a mid-sized roll, a jumbo roll, or a left-over stub roll. It will be appreciated that other roll size combinations may be used; the foregoing examples are meant to be merely illustrative of two combinations which are desirable.

[0044] In a method of use, the cover 16 is moved away from the back plate 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, thereby positioning the housing 12 in an opened loading position. Each hub 85, 86 is released from its locked position relative to the back plate 14 by a maintenance technician, who manually pushes the tab 128 on the hinge 126 of each arm 100, 101 out of the aperture, namely, 138, or 140, in which it was previously inserted by using, for example, the pointed end of a small screw driver (not shown), and so forth. By unlocking each tab 128, each hub 85, 86 is unlocked from its previously-selected position and is slidably movable within the perimeter 106 of each opening 104, 105. This allows each hub 85, 86, to be manually slid or moved by the maintenance technician to a newly selected position, and locked via the tab 128 as described previously into another selected position. It will be understood that the outer perimeter 92 of the rolls 20 are positioned to avoid substantial contact with an inner surface 142 of the housing 12.

[0045] Once the hubs 85, 86 have been positioned and locked into position, the selected rolls are mounted on the hubs 85, 86. The housing 12 is closed as described previously herein, and the sheet material 22 on each roll 20 is positioned for dispensing through the exit port 24.

[0046] In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 and 14, the dispenser 210 is very similar to the dispenser 10. The arms 200, 201, however, and the openings 204, 205 in the back plate 214 of the housing 212 have generally, but not by way of limitation, a round configuration.

[0047] Each arm 200, 201 is positioned on the back side or outer surface of the back plate 214, which is positioned adjacent a support surface, as shown generally in FIG. 7, and which applies to this embodiment as well. Each arm 200, 201 supports hubs 85, 86, which extending through respective openings 204, 205, as shown in FIGS. 5-6 and 14. Each arm 200, 201 is formed from a flange having a generally round configuration, and has a perimeter 231 which is slightly larger than the diameter of a perimeter 206 defining the openings 204, 205. Each arm 200, 201 is held in moveable alignment with the openings 204, 205, respectively, by a perimeter of a retaining rib (which is substantially similar to retaining rib 109 shown in FIG. 7) which is positioned near to at least a portion of each opening 204, 205 on the back side (not shown) of the back plate 214, and extends a short distance therefrom. The retaining rib is positioned so that each hub 85, 86 is rotatably movable within the perimeter 206 of the openings 204, 205. Each arm 200, 201 is rotatably movable within the confines of its respective retaining rib as well, to permit the hubs 85, 86, to be rotatably positioned within the openings 204, 205. The support surface (shown in FIG. 7 and applicable hereto) and the smaller diameter of the perimeter 206 of the openings 204, 205 relative to the perimeter 231 of the arms 200, 201, and the flange portion 220 thereof which extends about a portion of the base 111 of each hub 85, 86 cooperate, as described previously herein, to provide support for the retention and rotatable movement of both the hubs 85, 86 within the openings 204, 205 along with the simultaneous rotatable movement of each arm 200, 201 within the confines of each retaining rib on the back side of the housing 212. The hubs 85, 86 are positioned in a selected position by a maintenance technician, in a manner substantially similar to the one previously described herein.

[0048] Each arm 200, 201, includes the slot 125 which provides the hinge 126 having the tab 128 thereon, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 14. The hinge 126 and tab 128 are positioned opposite each hub 85, 86 on each arm 200, 201. Each arm 200, 201 is releasably locked into one of two selectable positions, when the tab 128 of the hinge 126 is inserted into either aperture 238 or aperture 240, which are provided in the back plate 214.

[0049] Each arm 200, 201 may be locked into a selected one of two selected positions via positioning the tab 128 of each arm 200, 201 into one of two apertures 238, 240, which are positioned adjacent the perimeter 206 of each opening 204, 205. Each of the two apertures 238, 240 are positioned so that a maintenance tech may easily select a position for the roll combination.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the tab 128 of the hinge 126 on each arm 200, 201, is positioned in aperture 238, the hubs are rotatably positioned generally in horizontal alignment relative to the lower end 242 of the housing 212, and are aligned relative to the housing 212 to each hold a mid-sized rolls 98, 98′. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the tab 128 of the hinge 126 on each arm 200, 201 is positioned in aperture 240, the hubs 85, 86 are rotatably positioned generally out of horizontal alignment relative to the lower end 242 of the housing 12, and are aligned relative to the housing 212 to position hub 85 to hold a jumbo roll 94 and to position hub 86 to hold a stub roll 96. The method of use is substantially similar to the one previously stated described in detail herein, except that the hubs 85, 86, and the arms 200, 201 supporting them are, but not by way of limitation, rotatably movable.

[0051] In yet another embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-11 and 13, the dispenser 310 is very similar to the dispenser 210. The arms 300, 301, however, do not include a hinge 126 and tab 128, and instead include two apertures 330, 332 positioned opposite each other near the perimeter 331 of each arm 300, 301. The perimeter 306 of each opening 304, 305 in the back plate 314 are generally, but not by way of limitation, a round configuration. However, a pair of spaced-apart slots 325 are positioned adjacent and intersecting the perimeter 306 of each opening 304, 305 provide a hinge 326 having a tab 328 which overlaps an upper surface 329 of each arm 301, 302. The hinge 326 and tab 328 are formed as part of the back plate 314, and the tab 328 is positioned on the back side 308 thereof. The tab 328 may be releasably locked into a selected one of the two apertures 330, 332 on the arm 300, 301, to position each hub 85, 86, thereon into a chosen selected position, as previously described herein.

[0052] Each arm 300, 301 is retained generally, and in the manner described for the retaining rib of the embodiment of the dispenser 210, by a perimeter 338 of a retaining rib 340. Each opening 304, 305 includes, an a back side or outer surface 308 of the back plate 314, which is generally, but not by way of limitation, positioned against a support surface 342, such a retaining rib 340. The retaining rib 340 is positioned near at least a portion of each opening 304, 305, and generally supports arms 300, 301 for rotatable movement therein (FIG. 11).

[0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, when the tab 328 of the hinge 326 on each arm 300, 301, is positioned into aperture 330, the hubs are rotatably positioned generally in horizontal alignment relative to the lower end 344 of the housing 312, and are aligned relative to the housing 312 to each hold a mid-sized roll 98, 98′. As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the tab 328 of the hinge 326 on each arm 300, 301, is inserted into aperture 332, the hubs 85, 86 are rotatably positioned generally out of horizontal alignment relative to the lower end 344 of the housing 312, and are aligned relative to the housing 312 to position hub 85 to hold a jumbo roll 94 and to position hub 86 to hold a stub roll 96.

[0054] The method of use is substantially similar to the one previously stated herein, except that each tab 328 is lifted out of its position in the selected aperture by a maintenance technician, who uses the end of small screw driver, and so forth, to lift the tab 328. The hubs 85, 86, are rotatably moved into one of the two positions described above, and the tab 328 is again inserted into the selected aperture 330 or 332.

[0055] It will be appreciated that, in all embodiments, the present movable hubs are moved within the confines of the internal compartment of the housing to allow different sizes of rolls to be contained therein, in various combinations. The hubs do not move to position a roll closer to the exit port; rolls of all sizes shown and described herein are already positioned adjacent the exit port 24 for a user to access one or both rolls, as desired. Rather, each hub is moved to its preselected position as described above, to desirably permit the housing hold either rolls of substantially different diameters, or rolls of substantially similar diameters. That is, each hub, in the present embodiments, and by way of non-limiting examples, are positionable to hold a combination of either a jumbo roll and a stub roll, or two mid-sized rolls within the internal compartment of the housing, without the outer perimeter of one or more rolls substantially contacting the outer perimeter of another roll, or the inner surface of the housing.

[0056] It will further be recognized that, in each embodiment illustrated herein, each hub is also positioned generally transversely across the internal compartment of the housing, and each hub is supported in a generally perpendicular position relative to the back plate, such that each hub is supported at one end by its respective arm and has an opposite free end which is not coupled to the housing. Each arm and the hinge and tab associated with the arm or the back plate are considered, but not by way of limitation, a part of a movement/locking means. Further, the free end of each hub may include a flange, and so forth, so that the weight of the roll will not cause displacement of the roll relative to the inner surface of the housing, thereby preventing the roll from touching or rubbing against the inner surface of the housing.

[0057] Finally, as applied to all embodiments shown and/or described herein, it will be appreciated that the arms may be removably supported against the back side of the housing by clips, snaps, and so forth.

[0058] While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispenser for storing and dispensing rolled sheet material, comprising: a housing configured to hold at least one roll of sheet material therein and formed to include an exit port, the housing having an outer surface positioned against a support surface and including an opening therein defined by a perimeter; a hub having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned to extend through at least a portion of the opening in the housing, the hub being movably retained within the perimeter and configured to hold a roll of sheet material; and an arm coupled to the second end of the hub and configured to support the hub for movement within the perimeter, the arm having a perimeter which is larger than the perimeter of the opening and being movably supported against the outer surface of the housing, the arm configured to be releasably locked into one of a plurality of selected positions.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a cover and a back plate, the back plate providing the outer surface which is positioned against the support surface.
 3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the opening and the perimeter thereof is provided in the back plate.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the arm is moveably positioned on the outer surface of the back plate.
 5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the arm is releasably locked to the back plate via a tab provided by the arm which is configured to be positioned to extend into one of a plurality of apertures provided in the back plate to lock the arm and hub thereon into a selected position.
 6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the tab is provided on a hinge supported by the arm.
 7. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the arm is moveable within an area defined by a retaining rib positioned on the outer surface of the back plate.
 8. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein when the arm is locked, the hub is locked into a position to prevent movement thereof.
 9. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein a retaining rib is provided on the outer surface of the back plate, and the arm is moveable within an area defined by the retaining rib.
 10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the arm has a perimeter larger than the perimeter of the opening but smaller than a perimeter of a retaining rib positioned adjacent the arm on the outer surface of the housing.
 11. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the hub is configured to be positioned in a perpendicular position relative to the back plate, and wherein the first end of the hub is not coupled to the housing.
 12. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hub is positioned by the arm within the housing to hold one of a jumbo roll, a mid-sized roll, and a stub roll.
 13. A dispenser for storing and dispensing rolled sheet material, the dispenser comprising: a housing configured to hold at least two rolls of sheet material therein and formed to include an exit port, the housing having an outer surface positioned adjacent a support surface, the outer surface including a pair of spaced-apart openings therein, each opening defined by a perimeter; a pair of hubs, each hub having a first end and a second end, the first end of one of each of the hubs positioned to extend through at least a portion of one of each of the openings in the housing, each hub being movably retained within its respective perimeter and each hub configured to hold a roll of sheet material; and a pair of arms, one of each of the arms coupled to the second end of one of each of the hubs and each arm configured to support its respective hub for movement within the perimeter, each arm having a perimeter larger than the perimeter of each opening and being movably supported against the outer surface of the housing, each arm configured to be releasably locked into one of a plurality of selected positions.
 14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a cover and a back plate, the back plate providing the outer surface which is positioned against the support surface.
 15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein each opening and perimeter formed thereby is provided in the back plate.
 16. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein each arm is movably positioned on the outer surface of the back plate.
 17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein each arm is releasably locked to the back plate via a tab provided by each arm which is configured to be positioned in one of a plurality of apertures provided in the back plate to lock each arm and hub thereon into a selected position.
 18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the tab is provided on a hinge supported by each arm.
 19. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein each arm is releasably locked to the back plate via a tab provided on the backplate positioned adjacent the perimeter of each opening, the tab configured to be positioned in one of a plurality of apertures provided in each arm to lock the arm and hub thereon into a selected position.
 20. The dispenser of claim 19, wherein the tab is provided on a hinge which is formed adjacent at least a portion of each perimeter.
 21. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein each arm is moveable within an area defined by a retaining rib positioned on the outer surface of the back plate.
 22. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein each arm has a perimeter larger than the perimeter of the opening but smaller than a perimeter of a retaining rib positioned adjacent the arm on the outer surface of the housing.
 23. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein each hub is configured to be positioned in a perpendicular position relative to the back plate, and wherein the first end of each hub is not coupled to the housing.
 24. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein each hub is movable to hold one of a jumbo roll, a stub roll, and a mid-sized roll.
 25. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the hubs together cooperate to hold a combination of one of rolls having substantially different diameters and rolls having substantially similar diameters.
 26. The dispenser of claim 25, wherein the rolls having substantially different diameters are defined as a jumbo roll and a stub roll, and the rolls having substantially similar diameters are defined as two mid-sized rolls.
 27. A dispenser for storing and dispensing rolled sheet material, comprising: a housing configured to hold at least one roll of sheet material therein and formed to include an exit port, the housing having an outer surface positioned against a support surface and including at least one opening therein defined by a perimeter; at least one hub, the hub having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned to extend through at least a portion of the opening in the housing, the hub being movably retained within the perimeter and configured to hold a roll of sheet material; and movement/locking means including an arm for moving the hub within the perimeter and releasably locking the hub into one of a plurality of selected positions, at least a portion of the movement/locking means being movably supported against the outer surface of the housing.
 28. The dispenser of claim 27, wherein the housing includes a cover and a back plate, the back plate providing the outer surface which is positioned against the support surface.
 29. The dispenser of claim 28, wherein the opening and the perimeter thereof is provided in the back plate.
 30. The dispenser of claim 29, wherein the movement/locking means includes an arm is moveably positioned on the outer surface of the back plate.
 31. The dispenser of claim 30, wherein the arm is releasably locked to the back plate via a tab provided by the arm which is configured to be positioned to extend into one of a plurality of apertures provided in the back plate to lock the arm and hub thereon into a selected position.
 32. The dispenser of claim 31, wherein the tab is provided on a hinge supported by the arm.
 33. The dispenser of claim 30, wherein the arm is moveable within an area defined by a retaining rib positioned on the outer surface of the back plate.
 34. The dispenser of claim 30, wherein when the arm is locked, the hub is locked into a position to prevent movement thereof.
 35. The dispenser of claim 27, wherein at least a portion of the movement/locking means has a perimeter larger than the perimeter of the opening but smaller than a perimeter of a retaining rib positioned on the outer surface of the housing adjacent the portion of the movement/locking means.
 36. The dispenser of claim 28, wherein the hub is configured to be positioned in a perpendicular position relative to the back plate, and wherein the first end of the hub is not coupled to the housing.
 37. The dispenser of claim 27, wherein the hub is positioned by the movement/locking means within the housing to hold one of a jumbo roll, a mid-sized roll, and an escort roll.
 38. A method of positioning hubs in a dispenser adapted to hold at least two rolls of sheet material, the method comprising: providing a dispenser according to claim 13; selecting a position for each hub such that the hubs are positioned to cooperate to hold one of rolls of substantially different diameters and rolls of substantially identical diameters; unlocking each arm and moving the hub thereon to the selected position; locking each arm into the selected position thereby retaining each hub in the selected position; and disposing a roll of sheet material of a selected diameter on the hub.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein in the step of selecting a position for each hub, the step further includes selecting a position for a combination of one of a jumbo roll and a stub roll, and two mid-sized rolls.
 40. The method of claim 38, wherein in the step of unlocking each arm and moving the hub thereon to the selected position, the step further includes moving a tab provided on each arm out of one aperture and moving each arm such that the tab is in alignment with and positioned in another aperture.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein in the step of unlocking each arm and moving the hub thereon to the selected position, the step further includes moving a tab provided in the housing and positioned adjacent the perimeter out of one aperture provided on each arm and moving the arm such that another opening in the arm is in alignment with the tab and the tab is positioned in the other aperture. 